Hi and thank you for taking the time to visit my fundraising page.  I have a thoracic disc herniation between the T9 & T10 vertebrae and I am currently about 80-90 lbs. overweight.  I am losing the dexterity and range of motion in my right arm and hand.  I am unable to do any physical exercise, and much of each day is spent accommodating some aspect of the pain.  Currently I am managing the pain with nerve and pain medications.  This is medically supervised at the Emory Pain Clinic, but medically supervised or not the use of narcotic and neurologic drugs can be a very slippery slope.  Needless as it is to say, it is a vicious circle of circumstances.  My hope is to undergo bariatric surgery first.  This will alleviate some of the pain and help slow the deterioration of the spine.  Once I have lost all the excess weight the path forward will be much clearer.  I will be infinitely better prepared to face spinal fusion surgery and the long recovery afterward.  I am humbled by the need to ask for help, and your contribution will be greatly appreciated.